Over Spring Break

So last week was spring break for us.  I so needed the vacation and wish we had two weeks off instead of one.  Here are some of the things we did over break…

My family arrived from Seattle Saturday evening.  We helped them get settled.  Everyone was stunned to see how the renters left the house.  The renters removed the french doors on the master bedroom.  The ceiling fan was removed from the living room and placed in the kitchen.  It looked like someone ran a car through the  wall in the garage.  You could tell part of the wall had been replaced (they didn’t finish the repairs).  All the wall socket covers were missing.  The walls in all the bedrooms had huge plaster repairs from holes.  The shower door was missing from the master bath.  The garage door openers were also missing.  My brother made a list of things that he needed to get from the hardware store.  So I offered to keep my nephews for a few days so they could work on the house.

Sunday my mom and I took all the kids to see Monters vs. Aliens.  Since we were next to the mall we went shopping after the movie.  That eveing we ordered in dinner and played with the kids before their bedtime.

Monday my mom, sister-in-law, Kierra, and myself went to Massage Envy to get massages.  If any of you have one in your city I suggest you go.  I plan to sign up for their membership.  It’s $49 a month.  You get a 50 minute massage.  Each additonal massage for the month would cost you $39.  If you miss a month your massage rolls over to the next month.  Anyway, since Kierra is under age we were in the same room.  She loved it!

Tuesday we all went shoping again.  Can you tell shopping is one of my favorite things to do besides eating!?  On the way home I stopped by my brother’s to pick up Rock Band.  We ate dinner and played the Wii well into the night.  I started off playing the drums then I moved on to the guitar.  Finally I tried out the singing part.  Let me tell you, I cannot carry a tune but I got 100% singing Roxanne!

Wednesday my mom left to go back to Seattle to finish out her contract.  Husband and I took the kids to Jillian’s to cosmic bowl.  We had lunch there and then played some games.  The kids did not move from the air hockey table.  I kept suggesting the Fast and the Furious driving game.  Finally I left the the kids under Husband’s watch and Kierra played with me.  By the time we left everyone was worn out.  The kids fell asleep in the car on the way home.

Thursday I let Kierra babysit so I could go to my hair appointment.  Then I went to work at the Salon for awhile.  I needed to replace some of  my dwindling “Spring Break” fund.  When I returned home I watched Nim’s Island with Ian and Imani.

Friday I worked at the salon part of the day.  After work I took the kids to Olive Garden for dinner.

Saturday I worked at the salon again most of the day.  That eveing we had family game night.  We played SingStar on the Playstation 3.  The game comes with two microphones.  Two people can battle or sing a duet.  Then one person can sing solo.  Of course we all decided to battle.  The best part is the game allows you to play back what you just sang.  That was so funny.  The very first song was Hey Ya by Outkast.  Two of my friends sang this song.  They were up dancing around, performing for us not even paying attention the TV screen.  It was hilarious.  Then we moved on to Rock Band.  Husband I and let Ian and Imani stay up well past their bedtime.  It was 2:20 a.m. when the last person left out house. 

Sunday was chill day.  Husband and Ina went to the YMCA for a basketball camp.  The girls and I stayed home.  I was so exhausted form the weeks activities and not looking forward to returning back to work. 

So there it is…my weeks activities.  Now the countdown begins for summer vacation!

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Stealing Time

Today I am going to go get a manicure and pedicure and do a little shopping at Target sans kids.  After I pick them up, I’m mandating siesta time.   I plan to continue relaxing on the chaise with a cold glass of  passion fruit juice while watching the scenery through our big picture window until my eyelids grow heavy.

The Skinny

Yesterday I decided I needed to go shopping for new jeans and a few other odds and ends. My friend and hair stylist of 14 years and I headed to the mall. She only went to appease me as she does not like to shop–imagine that!!! But she was on her best behavior and allowed me to go wild trying on everything that suited my fancy without getting her panties in a bunch.  I was really in a shopping mood and was thus thankful that she was so patient with me for a couple of hours.  Even six inch heels didn’t slow me down!

I really have to take my time looking for the right pair of jeans. I am short with a very tiny waist. Most jeans are entirely too long or don’t fit my waist properly.

So I decided to try the latest fad, “skinny jeans.” This style is actually new for me because I was a mere toddler at the peak of their popularity. I’ve seen them on a few women out and about and on girls at school and I love the way they hug the ankles.

I found a really cute pair and commenced to try them on. They fit almost perfectly! They didn’t gape open at the waist nor did they sweep the floor. They will look great paired with pumps or ballet flats.

 

With flats

 

"Saucy and extra bossy" as the kids like to say

Sugar and Spice

In many ways Jazmine is the daughter I always wanted.  When I was pregnant with Nicholas I wanted a little girl soooo bad!  I had to get used to the idea that I was having a son.  But now that he is here, I wouldn’t trade him for all the daughters in the world.  He is my beloved little boy!

However, I still love girls–maybe because I am one, eh?  I especially love the clothes and shoes that are deigned for them.  I used to pine away at all the cute, dainty pieces in the stores.  Now I don’t have to fantatsize any more because I can buy them!

Nicholas is not really into clothes.  He will put on anything.  I’ve had to train him over the years to match colors.  He’s pretty good at it now, but still takes little interest in clothes.  He does not like to go shopping and believes that giving clothing as gifts is in bad taste.  When he was four months old, I took him out to buy a snow suit.  He was livid that I dared to try it on him.  I can still see his chubby red face contorted with tears.  I guess he never recovered from that incident! 

But I like shopping for him as well, it just represents more of a challenge.  I like to mix up his wardrobe so that it includes more than the standard t-shirts and jeans.  His clothes remain in mint condition because he wears uniforms to school.

I have bought Jazmine so many clothes that we are running out of storage space.  There is a new store at one of my favorite malls called Crazy Eights (go figure!) with the most adorable girl clothing and accessories.  I also like Target and Macy’s.  But the fact is that most stores have cute things for girls!  It is soooo hard for me to resist!!!

It is nice having both sugar and spice.

People really love this simple ensemble.

 

These shoes are so sweet--they remind me of candy!

 

Jazmine loves this skirt! In the winter, I will pair it with a black turtleneck and tights.

 

Pretty in Pink!

The Space Noodle

I’m back!!!  We had a great time in Seattle.  I have been there three times already and I have yet to see everything on my list.  I was joined by my husband and Kierra, too.   My mom (she is currently working in Seattle), my brother and sister-in-law were all on vacation as well.  This time I was able to see more of the city than before.

Let me just say that I love to eat, therefore food was at the top of my list.  I would not eat at any restaurants that we had at home.  On the first night there we had Thai.  My husband and Kierra liked the taste.  The sweet and sour chicken I had was too spicy for my taste buds.  One morning we all went to Endolyne Joe’s for brunch.   I had biscuits and gravy.  After eating there, I will never have biscuit’s and gravy anywhere else!  For lunch one day we went to Ivar’s.  I had fish and chips.  The fish melted in my mouth!  The seafood is so fresh in Seattle.  My mom cooked a Thanksgiving meal for us one night.  Our last meal out was at the Rain Forest Cafe’.   If you have small children, take them.  The whole restaurant looks like a jungle with interactive animals and all.

The next thing on my list was to go shopping.  Seattle’s South Center Mall is so huge.Then we went downtown to Seattle Center and Pike’s Place Market .  Pike’s Place is famous for the fish market. The guys sing and throw fish.  It’s really fun to see in person.  The very first Starbuck’s is located there as well.

Further down the street is The Seattle Center.  We walked there.  Did I mention that Seattle is extremely hilly?  My feet hurt so bad.  Anyway…at The Seattle Center there is an outdoor amusement park and the Space Needle.   My husband had out his camera, clicking away when he said something that made me laugh.  He said, “Hey look at the Space Noodle!”  Everyone turned to look at him and we all said at once, “It’s Space Needle.”  He replied, “That’s what I said.”   He continued to say Space Noodle for the rest of the day.  Two days later we went to the beach and there was a clear view of the Space Needle from where we were standing.  My husband had his camera out, again clicking away.  He took a picture of it and walked over to me and said in a proud tone”I got a good shot of the Space Noodle.  (pause)  Hey I finally said it right this time!”  We all looked at each other and burst into laughter.  He looked at us and said, “What, I did say it right!”  More laughter from everyone.  Needless to say that was the joke of the week…The Space Noodle!

You’re Naked!!!

I love to go shopping.  At least once a week I am at the mall.  Kierra has taken on this hobby and always wants to tag along with me.  Imani evens likes to go shopping.

On one of our outings to the mall Imani and I went in one direction while my husband, Ian, and Kierra went in another.  I had taken Imani to use the restroom.  On our way to meet back up with the family I stopped off at New York and Company.  As I checked out the sales, Imani was showing off as she normally does.  She loves music and feels the need to dance when ever she hears music.

After choosing a few pair of pants from the rack I headed to the dressing room.  I was so not prepared for what happened next.  My back was turned to Imani while I undressed from the waist down.  I instructed Imani to make funny faces in the mirror in order to keep her occupied.  Out of nowhere she slapped me on the rear and said (really loud), “Mommy you’re naked!”  I turned to look at her and was completely shocked!  I was a little embarrassed when I heard laughter coming from the other dressing rooms.   After the shock wore off, I chuckled as well.

Yes, I had on underwear.  I was not naked in the dressing room.  The bottom of my shirt covered the fabric of the thongs I had on.  To Imani it looked like I was naked.   Even after showing her my that I was in fact wearing underwear, she still had a look of disbelief on her face.  Then she proceeded to tell me that my butt was fat!  More chuckles from the dressing room.  Great, she was on a roll!

Imani did not want to leave the dressing room.  She pouted all they way to the register but stopped at a rack of pants saying, “You didn’t try these on Mommy!”  More laughter from other shoppers.  That only fueled her clowning.  At this point she is dancing around making her funny faces, enjoying the many “Oh, she is so cute!” comments.

When I caught up with my husband and told him what happened, he laughed as well.  We spent a few more hours shopping.  I decided to try on a few more pieces and every time I headed to the dressing room;  I’m sure you all can guess who was on my heels.  IMANI!!!  LOL!!!